Amusement device



J. D. FROMAN.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED- nma. 1920. 1,22,688 Patented July 11, 1922.

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gwuenfoz J. D. FROMAN. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION F|LED--DEC.8, I920- 1 422 688 Patented July 11, 1922....

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WW II stares JOSEPH D. FROMAN, VEVAY, INDIANA.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J uly 11, 1922.

Application filed December 8, 1920. Serial No. 429,130.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr D. FROMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vevay, in the county of Switzerland and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an amusement device, and the object is to provide mechanical means for impart-ing movement to a figure or automaton suspended above a platform or dancing floor.

A further object is to provide for mounting the figure by means of an elastic dev ce and an adjusting element, the former permitting of movement in various directions, and return to normal position, and the latter providing for vertical adjustment.

A still further object is to provide a figure comprising a body portion, with pivotally mounted arms and legs, and a head mounted for movement in various directions,--with means for imparting movement to the automaton thus constructed.

A still further object is to provide driving mechanism comprising a motor, a crank shaft, and a pitman connected directly with means actuating the automaton, thus effecting direct and positive movement, the elastic element cooperating with the direct mechanical action in producing the desired results.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of elements hereinafter described, it being understood that modifications or variations in construction may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective v1ew of an amusement device constructed in accordance with my invention, some of the dancing figures or automatons being omitted.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Figure 1, looking in the directlon indicated by the arrow.

'Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 44 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow, and

Figure 5 is a detail view in side elevation of one of the dancing figures or automatons, illustrating the construction thereof.

The automaton per se comprises a body .portionlO, the head being designated 12 I ally connected at 20 to form a joint corresponding with the knee joint. The feet are shown at 21 and 22. The automaton thus constructed is shown in the drawing, and in a separate view, or in another portion of the drawing, I have shown a figure of similar proportions provided with clothing and constituting the representation of a man in the act of dancing.

A platform 24 is of suitable proportions and connected with the rear portion thereof is a vertical wall 25 mounting an upper horizontal wall 26. The vertical supporting element, may, however, consist merely of a frame.

Extending across the element or wall 26 at a slot 26 thereof is a transverse bar 27 and mounted in the latter are adjusting screws 28 each bearing on a resilient element, such as a steel spring arm 29, and the latter being connected with an elastic cord 31, which depends through the slot 26 and in turn is connected with the head of the figure, with the result that the upper portion of the device is movable in various directions, when direct mechanical movement is imparted to another portion of the figure.

An electric motor is shown conventionally at 32, the shaft thereof carrying a pulley 33 driving a belt 34 which passes around a pulley 35 mounted on crank shaft 36. A pitman 37 is connected with the crank shaft and has pivotal connection at 38 with the floor or platform 24, with the result that movement is imparted to the figures by raising and lowering the floor incident to the rotation of the crank shaft. As the feet of the automaton normally rest on the floor, the upward thrust imparted will tend to move the feet in such manner that the legs will bend at the knee joint. This action, together with the resilient suspending means produces the required result. It should be added that the platform is mounted on pivots, such as 40 and is supported in the main frame 41. Any suitable number of figures may be mounted in the manner specified.

What is claimed is 1. A toy consisting of an articulate figure, means to suspend said figure, an inherently rigid platform, means to pivotally mount said platform, and means to bodily rock said platform on its pivot for cooperation with the figure to impart simulative dancing movement thereto.

2. A toy consisting of an articulate figure,

.means cooperating with said figure to impart simulative dancing movement thereto, suspendmg means for the figure comprising an arm, and an achustable member movable against said arm to vary said figure.

3. A toy consisting of an articulate figure, a frame, a platform within the frame raised relative to the base thereof, means pivotally mounting said platform, a pitman depending from the platform, a shaft having a the elevation of crank cooperating with said pitman, means In testimony whereof I affix my signa true in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH D. FROMAN. l/Vitnesses:

WILLIAM A. REEVES, HENDERSON WEBSTER. 

